Take a walk on the wild side and take a picture or two while you're at it

The Raval neighborhood of Barcelona has the esteemed notoriety of being the city’s seedy go to place for night life escapades of sex and drugs. During the last two centuries, the Raval neighborhood has been the famed location for several mystery and thriller books.
This close quartered location by the sea is home to many of Barcelona’s immigrants and working class citizens. For this reason Raval has been given the distinguished name of Barri Xine, meaning Chinatown. Today Raval neighborhood is one of the most densely populated areas in Barcelona, primarily composing of Pakistani, Indonesian, Indian, and Eastern European immigrants. Raval neighborhood first began as an area next to the ports outside of Barcelona’s city walls. The word Raval comes from Arabic, meaning “suburbs”. During the Middle Ages this is exactly what Raval was. El Raval is one of four “suburbs” making up the larger part of the Ciutat Vella neighborhood. Raval was originally a mesh of gardens, small markets, churches, hospitals, and  even a leper colony. It was home to what the city itself did not want.  These poor settlements would later be themselves gated off and separated from the residents of the city during the 14th Century. When the Industrial Revolution finally hit Barcelona it was in the Raval neighborhood that the textile factories were built. The textile industry became a dominant sector between 1770 and 1840. During this amazing transition in manufacturing and production other industries such as brick production, slaughterhouses and leather manufacturing were also located in El Raval. As a result of the increase in industrialization, the first migration wave from within the other districts of Catalonia settled into Raval neighborhood, and changed Raval from an industrial area into a residential zone. To house this new working class, many of Raval’s once open fields and orchards were mowed down and turned into sprawling concrete facades for the working class to call home.  Because of the over population and lack of proper hygiene Raval became a haven of disease and dirt. With disease such as malaria, cholera, small pox, shingles, and even the bubonic plague spreading through the over crowded streets of Raval the life span of the average resident was only in the 30’s. Such mass outbreaks lasted through the early 1900’s.
Due to the shadows coming from Raval’s housing complexes along with over crowding the area became rife with drugs and prostitution. To this day it is famed for drugs, bars, and cabarets. Due to it’s proximity to the sea ports, and the men working there, many cheap taverns and nightly entertainment establishments popped up, along with a highly lucrative drug trade.  The urban transformation of Raval lasted well in the 1980’s and it continued to push tourism and middle class citizens away. During the 1990’s localized planning initiatives were created to help revive the neighborhood. The localized planning project was completed in 2000 and has introduced tourism through cleaner streets and new tourist businesses. Today Raval is host to bars, restaurants, and small stores alike. The narrow streets are often filled with tourists and local shoppers alike. While the evenings still contain shady people from drug dealers to prostitutes, it is a far cry from the early days in Raval’s history. Just as every other barrio in Barcelona, Raval’s distinct culture, people, architecture, and design bring to the city a unique and vibrant atmosphere that cannot be copied.
Let us know what your favorite barrio in the city is Check out more information on Raval and other Barcelona neighborhoods

Barcelona Street Profile: Discover Carrer de Verdi

Barcelona is full of must-sees but, as an expert visitor, you should not miss the Spanish way of life. If you want to see more than the overly famous streets, monuments, museums, beaches, ... and you want to go in some other typical places, you can try Gracia North-West neighborhood! We have chosen for you a special Street Profile: Carrer de Verdi, a really beautiful and lively place which strides Barcelona's heights! Unless you're very sporty, it's better to start at the end because the street has a sharp slope! At the top, the street is very residencial with great houses in a quiet atmosphere. You also have an amazing view of Barcelona's cityscape. When you come down the street, you'll discover some shops, food shop, variety of service as hairdressers, bars and restaurants. You can find below some nice places to go and useful information:

Restaurants:

N°213: L'ancora - traditional food N°138: La Vineteria de Verdi - typical food N°65: Mesopotamia - North-African - Middle East food N°64: Kibuka - Japonese food N°56: Los Pandas - Chinese restaurant N°40: Pizzalabina - Pizzeria N°39: Gasterea - Tapas N°35: Casa de Pizzas - Pizzaria N°29: La Verdinale - Pizzeria N°28: Askadinya - Palestinian restaurant N°18: La villa Amrit - Lebanese food N°16: Al Waha - Lebanese food N°15: Creps Barcelona - Creps restaurant N°12: Frankfurt Verdi - Tapas N°11: Ugarit - Mediterranean food N°2: Gattopardo - Pizzeria

Bar:

N°79 - Café Camèlia Charming and perfect place  to chill!

Market

N°: 200 : Mercat de Lesseps As all markets in Barcelona, a very good place to find fresh and various food!

Church

N°: 100 Catholic Church

Design High School

At the street junction between Carrer de Verdi 91 and Carrer Biada. A recognized school for the future artists!

Cinema

N°32: Cinemas Verdi The films on show are a mixture of new releases and art house.
And finally at the end (beginning) of the street you'll discover a beautiful place: Plaça de la Revolucio de Setembre de 1886, where you can enjoy a glass in a quiet atmosphere!

Spanish Clothing Brands: Fashion Under the Sun

How many Spanish clothing brands do you recognise? Spain certainly knows how to do fashion and many Spanish clothing brands are also highly popular internationally. To name only a few: Zara, Mango, Massimo Dutti etc. Let me introduce five of them a bit more.

Zara

Zara is the ultimate Spanish success story. It has great control of its supply-chain through design, manufacturing, and distribution so that it can effectively change the entire collection faster than its competitors. If some products don't sell well enough, manufacturing can be changed to produce other more profitable products. Zara has been accused of many things, not  least of copying models from other fashion brands. Fast production is mostly based on seeking new trends and starting production quickly and efficiently. The first store was opened in 1975 in Galicia in Spain and now it has already 1763 stores in 86 countries. Zara is the fifth best brands in Spain based on Brandirectory (2013) with the brand value of $6,751m. It is part of Inditex Group which is one of the worlds largest fashion distributors.

Bershka

Bershka, also part of Inditex Group, pretty much uses the same business model as Zara. However Bershka is directed to the younger target group. As with Zara, Bershka changes its collection often and they try to keep bringing new products that sell. In order to always have the latest design at outlets, Bershka uses its flexible business model to adapt to any changes occurring during the seasons. Bershka currently has 885 shops in 66 countries. It is 47th on ranking list of the best Spanish brands (Brandirectory, 2013).

Massimo Dutti

Massimo Dutti is known as a high quality brand and it uses 100 per cent natural fabrics. They have a huge collection from casual to high end fashion for men and women. Massimo Dutti has currently 665 stores in more than 64 countries. Massimo Dutti is ranked as 66th of the best Spanish brands, but it has a narrower target group. Massimo Dutti brand is targeted towards independent, cosmopolitan and urban men and women who can afford to pay a little more for quality. It’s also part of Inditex Group.

Mango

Mango is from Barcelona. It is Spain’s second largest textile exporter which already says a lot. It’s 42nd on a ranking list of the best Spanish brands and it has 2460 stores in 104 countries worldwide. One of their aims  is to have a presence in every city in the world. The rotation of new lines is fast and thanks to their distribution system and sales forecasting, Mango sells only products that sell quickly. Mango has a huge warehouse and three distribution centres located in Barcelona, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Their outlets are fully prepared to have the right stock at the time. Mango invests in to human relationships, teamwork and continuous training. It's also worth mentioning that 80 % of their employees are women.

Blanco

Blanco is based in Madrid where their activities cover pattern making, production, commercial and purchases, systems, HR, finances, expansion, works and maintenance, interior design and projects, and marketing. Blanco also uses a quick rotation system. Their goal is to have new items in each of their stores every week. Blanco brings clothing and accessories to modern women and men. Blanco is extending internationally and it has stores already in 25 countries. What do you like of these brands? What is your favourite?

Need Someone to wire you Money ?There are places supported by Western Union in Barcelona!

Ever needed help from a Western Union to wire you money in Barcelona? It happens, especially if you accidentally lose your credit cards or if your wallet gets pick-pocketed. Unfortunately, that happens sometimes in Barcelona, but if you keep your eyes open and follow the advice of other people you will be alright. Useful webpage for that is Robbed in Barcelona. Hopefully, you won't have to experience such story! But where exactly can you find a Western Union in Barcelona and how does one go about wiring money? Read the following advice and if you ever find yourself in an emergency situation needing money, you will be well prepared!

HOW DO YOU WIRE MONEY THROUGH A WESTERN UNION?

In order to wire money through a Western Union and receive it in Barcelona, the depositor and receiver of the money need to do the following: Depositor: 1) Be ready with money.

• Visit a local Western Union personally (must have cash or a credit card)
• Call Western Union at 1-800-325-6000 (must have a credit card)
• Visit their site online (Spain)

2) Authorize the amount of money that is intended to transfer by completing a 'Send Money' form. 3) Give the name of the Receiver AND the city/country that the Receiver is to get the money. (The name of the Receiver that you give HAS to exactly match the name of the Receiver's identification) 4) The Depositor will receive a "numbered code" in which they must send to the Receiver (the Receiver ABSOLUTELY NEEDS this code in order to pick up his/her money)
*During this time, the information and deposit goes through Western Union's computer system. Once the money is authorized in the country that the Receiver is, the receiver can go pick it up*

The Barcelona Life Bucket List - Experiences You Need To Live and Things You Must Do in Barcelona!

As my time in Barcelona comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on the amazing time I have had in the incredible city that is Barcelona. All the sights I've seen, fiestas I've participated, things I've learnt and people I've met have all made my experience in Barcelona the best it could be. Inevitably, at a time like this, I also find myself wishing I'd done more things and had other experiences too. It's perfectly natural and almost everyone who leaves Barcelona after an extended period of time here goes home wishing they'd gone to that super cool museum, had gone to that fiesta and whatnot. Therefore, for my final post for SuiteLife, I decided to create a bucket list of things to do in Barcelona that I think everybody should have done at least once in his life. These experiences range from the blatantly obvious (that you may well find in any guidebook) to the lesser known. Some are really nice simple experiences whilst others are a little bit... odd. However, there is truly something for everybody whether you are a tourist visiting Barcelona for just a weekend or an expat setting up a new life in our beautiful city.
So without further ado, the top things to do in Barcelona are as follows: 1) See the main Barcelona sights (Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, Arc De Triomf, Casa Battlo etc), have a cheesy tourist shot with them and know a bit about them so you can impress your friends and family when they visit you. 2) Learn some basic Spanish and Catalan – it’s polite and unlocks a whole different side to the city. 3) Stroll down the Ramblas during the day and see the street entertainers, vendors and more 4) Stroll down the Ramblas during the night and see exactly what it’s like without the tourists. 5) Take a cooking class so you can learn how to cook authentic Spanish and Catalan cuisine. 6) Visit the Mercat de la Boqueria and put together a picnic that you can take up to Monjuic Mountain? 7) Watch an FC Barcelona match at Camp Nou 8) Tapear like a Spaniard! – Go on a tapas crawl around some of the best tapas bars in the city (particularly around the Borne) 9) Spend a lazy afternoon at the Parc de la Ciutadella 10) ‘Brave’ the Raval – lots of hidden Barcelona gems here! 11) Take a time travelling experience and take a walk around the Barri Gotic in the evening/night 12) People watch at Placa Reial 13) Watch the Magic Fountain at Placa Espanya/Montjuic 14) Chill out on one of Barcelona’s many beaches 15) Sample some of the best of Spanish and Catalan cuisine in some of the best restaurants in Spain. 16) Go on a spending spree along the Passeig de Gracia during the sales (rebajas/rebaixes) 17) Make the most of the free museums every first Sunday of every month 18) Go for a jog along the Barceloneta waterfront at sunrise/sunset 19) Climb and conquer Tibidabo, gazing in awe at the sheer beauty of Barcelona 20) Grab a bike and cycle around the city 21) Watch a movie at the open air cinema at Montjuic during the summer 22) Cool down with a glass of orxata – ice cream is so mainstream! 23) Jump the Metro at least once 24) See pure Catalan passion during the Diada Nacional on the 11th September 25) La Merce 26) Buy your lover a book/rose on la Diada de Sant Jordi 27) Attend at least one of Barcelona’s amazing music festivals – Primavera, Sonar, Cruilla etc 28) See the Castellers at Placa Sant Jaume 29) Witness first hand the most famous rivalry in the football world between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at an El Clasico match in any bar. 30) Watch a flamenco show! 31) See for yourself just how crazy a correfoc is 32) Get back to nature by visiting the Barcelona Zoo 33) Take a drink from the Font de Canaletes (at the top of the Ramblas near Placa Catalunya) – it is said that you will return to Barcelona again in your life or be a lifelong resident. 34) Pretend to be rich and party at the W Hotel 35) Chill out at the Ice Bar 36) Spend the night partying on the beach during San Juan/Sant Joan 37) Take the cable car to Montjuic 38) Cheap tapas at 100 Montaditos every Wednesday and Sunday 39) Shots at Espit Chupitos (ask for a Monica Lewinsky! ;-)) 40) Attend Nasty Mondays at least once 41) Do at least one form of watersport – wakeboarding anybody? 42) Cocktails on a rooftop terrace 43) Pay your respects to the Republican victims executed by Franco during the Civil War at the Fossar de la Pedrera 44) Party on... a boat! 45) Use the services of the ‘Cerveza Beer’ men at least once 46) Visit Sitges for an amazing beach as well as amazing parties and events such as the Film Festival (October),  Zombie Walk (Halloween) and Carnaval (February). 47) Make a pilgrimage to Montserrat 48) Visit Figueres and the Dali Museum. 49) Get lost in the Labyrinth at Horta 50) Go to the Festa Major de Gracia  during August for one huge street party 51) Run in the Barcelona Marathon 52) Chill out at the Piknic Electronik at Montjuic on a Sunday afternoon during the summer 53) Last but not least rent a flat from SuiteLife or keep reading our blog for even more top advice on Barcelona life!
How many of these have you done from this list? Living in such a varied and downright awesome place like Barcelona, there's still loads more things that could be on the list! If we've missed something let us know! The main thing is to enjoy your stay in Barcelona because the time will fly you by! Savour every second, don't let anything ruin it and create some of the best memories of your life. I certainly did! What about you ? Tell us about your experience in Barcelona in the comments below ! Cheers ! - Chris

A Day Trip From Barcelona to Manresa : Everything You Need to See !

Manresa is one of the cities in the province of Barcelona located in the centre of Catalonia where the river Cardener flows through it. Manresa is the capital of the region Blages, and it is believed that the name “Blages” comes from a corruption of the Latin "Bacchus" due to the extensive production of wine in the area. The wine was grown mainly in terraced vineyards, and many of these old terraces can be seen today. So, are you ready for a day trip from Barcelona to Manresa? Go down to the Arc de Triomf station, where you have the metro line 1 (the red one). The ticket will cost you 5.40 euros and the train (R4) takes almost 1h 20 minutes. The houses of Manresa are arranged around the Basilica of Santa Maria de la Seo. The town is a place of pilgrimage for Catholics.
It has Romanesque and Renaissance elements, but the predominant style is Gothic. In addition, it houses medieval altarpieces which are fine examples of Catalan Gothic painting. At the heart of the old town, the Town Hall, the Palace of Justice and the Pont Vell form part of the properties of Manresa city. The Pont Vell bridge belongs to the time of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Manresa has beautiful buildings, designed by the local architect Ignasi Oms i Ponsa which include, among others, the Casa Torrents Lluvià the Tower and the flour factory La Florinda. At the moment we can say that Manresa is going through an interesting period in cultural terms, because it has a wide range of interesting cultural activities, in some cases promoted by the private sector and others by the public administration. In November every year Manresa hosts the Black International Film Festival of Manresa (FECINEMA) where good actors as Sergi López, Pilar López de Ayala and directors like Vicente Aranda have participated.
Some places to visit - our recommendations:

The Manresa City Hall

Opened in the year 1896 the first municipal museum has been known as the "Museu Regional de Manresa" since 1977. Through multidisciplinary themes, the collections are based on the art and history of Manresa, Bages region and Catalonia. It is a square building and is organized in a neo-classic style, built by the Jesuit Order, in the middle of the seventeenth century, and was designated as a place for teaching and learning.

The Museu de la Tècnica de Manresa

It is located in the former monumental water tanks, the Canal de la Sèquia. They were built between 1861 and 1865 and they were used to provide the first water distribution network in the city. The museum houses two permanent exhibitions: "the ribbon industry" and "the Sèquia canal and the water".
Wine tourism activities: Visit the cellars, museum of wine, old country house from the 12th Century, with vineyards, "barraques" and wine tasting. Personalized tours for groups and individuals are available under request.

A Day Trip From Barcelona :The Medieval Castle of Mas Oller

The castle has opened its doors to visitors and is surrounded by an estate of 400 hectares of crops. The wine which is produced there will not leave you indifferent. Tours to the castle, vineyards,  the processing plant and the barrel room are offered all accompanied with wine tasting.

Montserrat Museum at the Montserrat Mountain Natural Park

This museum is one of the most incredible in Manresa. Their collection of modern paintings and sculpture is one of the best in the country. You can find works by artists like Picasso, Sisley, Dali and others. There are also items representing Egypt and the Holy Land.
Here are just few places to visit in Manresa. For more information just visit the tourism office located at the Manresa City Hall. Have you been on any interesting day trip from Barcelona ? If so, let us know in the comments below ! Diarra**

Must See in Barcelona : The Famous Cathedral Santa Eulalia

In Barcelona there are a large number of cathedrals, some more famous than others. Those cathedrals attract more and more visitors every year. This interest is, in part, due to the cathedrals' architectural style: some of which date back to the Roman Empire, while others are Gothic and some more modern like the Sagrada familia designed by Gaudi. We'd like to share one of the best; a must see in Barcelona! Did you know that one of the most famous cathedrals in Barcelona is the Cathedral Santa Eulalia de la Seu located in the highest point of the old town of Barcelona? It's the most beautiful Cathedral in Barcelona! If I were asked to choose between the Sagrada Familia and the cathedral Santa Eulalia de la Seu I would answer without hesitation: the Cathedral of  Santa Eulalia de La Seu. The Catalan Gothic cathedral dominates many buildings that are located in the old Gothic district of Barcelona with its size and its towers. At certain times, you can have access to the crypt where the sarcophagus of Saint Eulalia rests. She is the Patron saint of Barcelona and was martyrised aged 13 years old.

Santa Eulalia's History

Barcelona's history contains many mysteries. The legend of Santa Eulalia in Barcelona, which dates back to the Roman Empire, is one of those mysteries. At age 13, shocked by the persecution carried out against Christians by Emperor Diocletian, Eulalia opposed the Governor. For this, she was sentenced to undergo 13 martyrs, one for each year of her age. Eulalia was thus imprisoned, whipped and tortured. She was forced, for example to walk on coals burned down on her breasts, and these wounds were then rubbed with stones; and she was also placed in a barrel filled with nails that was then rolled down a hill.  Her body was then covered with fleas while she was  forced to walk naked in the city to the point of cruxifiction. Eulalia was canonized in 633 and became one of the patron saints of Barcelona, where she is known as "La Laia". The "Fiestas de Santa Eulalia" ("Holidays of Santa Eulalia") are held during the second week in February in Barcelona.

The Exterior of the Cathedral

The Cathedral is huge with impressive dimensions (about 90 meters high and about 40 wide). At the entrance there is a garden located in the cloister where you can find palm trees. The cloister is the most enjoyable place to visit and a haven of peace and nature animated by the warbling of the fountain right in the entrance and the geese hooting! There are 13  geese representing Eulalia's age when she was martyrised. At the top of the fountain sits a statue of Sant Jordi slaying a dragon. Each year, the second sunday after Pentacost, locals come and put an egg on the water jet. On the left hand side, right before the entrance of the cloister, there are two gravestones of the founders of the Cathedral Ramon Berenguer and his spouse Almodia.

A Sumptuous Interior !

A sumptuous interior: The Cathedral consists of three naves, a huge organ, and there are several interior chapels and the altar. The interior consists of an imposing nave lit by large windows dating from the 15th century. The nave is flanked by aisles, with 28 auxilary chapels. Among the wonders that can be seen inside the cathedral is the crypt below the Capella Major, which contains the sarcophagus of Santa Eulalia . The cathedral also has a magnificent choir in the center of the nave, with beautifully carved stalls. The enclosure around the choir is ornamented with reliefs that tell the story of Santa Eulalia.
Please note that the visits are at very special hours with a big break in the early afternoon, so plan to visit only between 8:30 to 13:30 and 16:30 to 19:30. Have you visited this must see in Barcelona yet? Which are your favourite churches in Barcelona? Let us know in the comments below ! *Diarra,

Barcelona bars is a topic that can be discussed and reviewed ad nauseum, but where the conversation gets truly interesting is within the mysterious and exciting niche of Secret Barcelona bars. Is your interest piqued yet? Keep reading... We'll tell you about some here but, shhhhhhh, it's a secret for a reason!

Secret Barcelona Bars: An Unforgettable Time for Those in the Know

[caption id="attachment_22739" align="alignnone" width="553"]
Knock knock... Herro?[/caption] All of the legal Barcelona bars that are not clubs or discotheques close at 3 a.m.  So if you find 3am fast approaching and you're not quite ready to call it a night your only option is to go to a club.  This has happened to me many times. I just felt like chatting and drinking with my friends until the sun rose and I could safely stumble home on the famous 'walk of shame'.  Sometimes you just don't feel like going to a throbbing sweaty nightclub.  I was psyched to find out that there are some Secret Barcelona bars that open their doors just after 3 a.m. to entertain you until the after hours clubs open at 7am,  or until you can't see straight, whichever might come first.

When you don´t feel like going to bed…

El Mariachi

Carrer Dels Còdols 14 In the heart of the Gótico there is one a the secret Barcelona bars with great cocktails and vermouth.  If you're lucky you can enjoy an improvised Manu Chao concert, as it's his favorite bar.  So don't miss this relaxing and fun atmosphere when you are around.  From the front it looks like a normal shop.  Just step in and pass to the back. Try Hydro-Miel, the house specialty mixed with honey. The complete blog about El Mariachi Bar

The Papillon

Carrer de la Neu de Sant Cugat The Papillon is very difficult to find and don´t ask me why. Maybe it's because of its location on a tiny dark hidden street or possibly because it doesn't open until 4 a.m. when no one´s really fresh (read: sober) enough to remember the way to this bar. It´s the latest opening bar in El Born neighborhood so be prepared for the high prices and crowds (who said secret Barcelona bars drinking would be cheap?). The Papillon is definitely there  for those who want to continue party in a rebellious way when most people are at home snoring. You can get there from c/ Princesa, turning onto c/ Assaonaders and then off to the dimly lit c/ Neu de Sant Cugat. Look for the metal doorway with graffiti, and you've found it.

El Armario

Carrer de Riereta El Raval is the part of the city that is the most densely populated with secret Barcelona bars, often opened up by squatters who have taken up residence in the empty buildings. There is one bar called El Armario (The Wardrobe) that is a hole in the wall and you literally have to enter through the owner´s closet (how odd and cool is that?!). The only problem is that it depends on the owner´s mood whether he will open the bar or not. So far I haven't had any luck but I won´t lose hope and I firmly believe that once I enter the wardrobe of miracles it will all be worth it.  Have any of you been to el Armario? Shed some light for us in the comments!

Pipa Social Club

Plaza Reial 3 The best known “secret” bar. Pipa is a very elegant flat of six rooms with a bar and pool. It used to be a smoking club and it kept its dark brown decoration from around the 19th century. Again, a bit pricey (4€ for a beer) but a nice experience when you are in Barcelona and a last beer point when the night is still not over. Honestly, this one's not much of a 'secret', but if you have guests visiting that you want to impress or just need a beer at 4am, this is your spot.  You have to ring the doorbell downstairs and they will buzz you up.

Secret Barcelona Restaurants: A Surprising Urban Secret…

These two completely hidden restaurants in Barcelona are the perfect choice to bring anyone to who you'd like to give a pleasant surprise to (girlfriend, parents, your Aunt Bunny...).  The quality of the dining is very high and the look on your completely surprised friend's face after you pass through a laundry mat into a stunning restaurant will be priceless!

Tintoreria Dontell

I passed this dry cleaners every day for two months and never realised, that there was something just a little off with the place. There are jackets hanging, waiting for their owners, washing detergents on the floor, the price of complete service on the front door says "Oferta especial del mediodía: camiseta, pantalón y corbata 20€" (special offer for lunchtime - shirt, trousers and a tie 20€). I never realised how strange it is that dry cleaners would have a lunchtime offer. And than a friend told me the secret and everything started to make sence. Behind this "normal" dry cleaners, there is a very fancy restaurant that you just should not miss. It´s pricey, but definitely worth it. To make a reservation visit their facebook page and give them a call. Also checkout our full review of The Secret Barcelona Restaurant Tintoria Dontell.

Souvenirs Chi Ton

This place is very similar to Dontell. It´s just on Passeig de Gracia and looks like a souvenir store with some Sevilla dresses and dolls. But in the store there is an elevator that brings you to a glamourous restaurant underneath the store.

What's behind the door?

There are a few bars or restaurants that are hidden within another restaurant, so they are super clandestine. Here you'll feel hidden from the rest of the world. One of these restaurants that deserves to be in this blog is called Speakeasy.

Speakeasy

Behind the great cocktail club Dry Martini on c/Aribau 162 there is a restaurant that looks just like an American bar from the prohibition period.

The real private club

All the places that I have described are more or less possible to find and easy to enter. The last bar is something else. It' s the highest league of secret Barcelona bars or clandestino restaurants.

Mutis

This bar is said to be in the same building as Bar Mut, which you can find on Calle Pau Claris, 192. To get to this bar, you need to be invited by someone, who is already a "member". Very exclusive, and very expensive. There was some gossip that Shakira was not allowed to enter, because she arrived without an invitation of a member. This is not enough? Check out our last cheap secret bar in Barcelona: The Antic Teatre! Well, this place is on my bucketlist. Do you know of any great Barcelona secret bars or restaurants not mentioned here? Let us know. Sarka

Luxury Hotels in Barcelona - Which One is Your Favourite?

We all like a bit luxury in our lives, right? Outdoor swimming pool, relaxing spa, perfect suite with a breathtaking view, fancy bars and excellent customer service are only a few things that make a visitor feel really special. This blog introduces you to some amazing five star luxury hotels in Barcelona. Interested in something more intimate? Check out this luxury property to rent before you make your choice !

Hotel W Barcelona

This fabulous hotel has become one of the best known landmarks of Barcelona and no wonder. Located by the oh-so beautiful Barceloneta beach you will be left speechless by the astonishing views it provides over the Mediterranean Sea. Hotel W Barcelona provides everything you need for your perfect holiday. You can dine in the hotel at  Michelin-star rated chef Carlos Abellán’s restaurant; enjoy some glamorous drinks at the rooftop bar on 26th floor; relax in Spain's first ever Bliss Spa; cool down by swimming in the pool, or check out Barceloneta from the beachfront access. Try W Barcelona virtual planner tour to see what is waiting for you. For real luxury lovers W Barcelona welcomes you to WOW suite with spectacular views over the sea and the city.

Mandarin Oriental Barcelona

At the beginning of this summer Mandarin Oriental Barcelona was inundated with huge crowds. It was because Rihanna was staying in this hotel during her summer concert in Barcelona. She made an excellent decision, because Mandarin Oriental Barcelona is for real stars. It is in a prime location on Passeig de Gracia next to Tiffany & Co. with the finest Penthouse Suite. This suite has fastastic views over Passeig de Gracia, it is perfect even for diamond lovers!

Hotel Arts Barcelona

This is another gorgeous hotel by Barceloneta which is popular with the rich and famous. It's terraced gardens and outdoor swimming pool, five restaurants, Six Senses Spa and gym located on the 42nd floor, and fine collection of Spanish contemporary art are only some of the reasons to choose the premium luxury Hotel Arts Barcelona. The outstanding service tops off what would most probably be an unforgettable experience here. The Arts Suite is one of the highest end choices Hotel Arts offers with panoramic views of the Mediterranean sea and the marina.

Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel

Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel has been compared to a leisure paradise and is very well located  by the harbour.  It provides an outdoor swimming pool with prominent city and port views, relaxing sauna and jacuzzi, well known buffet breakfast and a fantastic piano bar. Depending on your preferences there are variety of suites and rooms to choose from. However, the Presidential Suite is the jewel of Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel. You can be assured of a good nights sleep at the Eurostar Grand Marina Hotel by choosing the best model from the unique pillow menu.

El Palace Hotel

El Palace Hotel is a trademark of Barcelona’s hotels. It was built almost 100 years ago in 1919 but was totally refurbished in 2009. El Palace Hotel is luxurious from the first moment you step through the door and offers welcome snacks and drinks. Total comfort is assured and you can enjoy lunch inside the hotel at the Caelis Restaurant which has been awarded a Michelin Star. Classic Deluxe is the finest room complete with a romantic fireplace. You can relax even though the hotel is located in the middle of the busy centre because the room is completely soundproofed. El Palace Hotel brings the Caribbean Sea to Barcelona with the Mayan Luxury Spa. Relax and enjoy the luxurious surroundings that El Palace Hotel affords. Have you tried one of these spectacular hotels? We would like to hear about your experience. Have a relaxing holiday in Barcelona! Cheers, Essi

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Football Club Barcelona!

When it comes to the world of sports, Barcelona and football are synonymous.  As of 2012, Barcelona has won 21 La Liga, 25 Copa del Rey, 10 Supercopa de Espana, 3 Copa Eva Durate, and 2 Copa de la Liga trophies. Football Club Barcelona or FCB have won 4 UEFA Champions League, a record 4 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, 4 UEFA Super Cup, and a record 2 FIFA Club World Cup trophies. They also won a record 3 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup trophies, considered the predecessor to the UEFA Cup-Europa League. This championship teamis the only European club to have played continental football every season since 1955, and one of the only three clubs to have never been relegated from La Liga, along with Athletic Bilbao, and Real Madrid. In 2009, Barcelona became the first club in Spain to win the Treble consisting of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. That same year, it also became the first football club ever to win six out of six competitions in a single year, thus completing the sextuple,comprising the aforementioned treble and the Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA World Cup.

The Beginnings of Football Club Barcelona

This world renowned football club got its remarkable start here in Barcelona at the Gimnasio Sole on November 29th, 1899. Joan Gamper placed an advertisement in the local newspaper asking if there were others in the area wanting to contribute the the founding of a new Barcelona football club. Gamper met Gualteri Wild, Lluís d'Ossó, Bartomeu Terrados, Otto Kunzle, Otto Maier, Enric Ducal, Pere Cabot, Carles Pujol, Josep Llobet, John Parsons and William Parsons. Eleven sportsmen gathered in order to found a football club. Gualteri Wild was appointed President. The new Barcelona football team played their first game March 14, 1909 against English ex-pats living in Barcelona. Barca lost 0-1.

Cathedral of Football (1900's - 1956)

The new Football Club Barcelona won their first championship that same year, in the Catalan Championship. The team would continue to win the Catalan Championship in 1910,1911,1912,1915,1918,1919,1920,1921, and the Spanish Championship in 1909, 1911, 1912,1919, and 1921. With such amazing records and winning streaks for such a new football organization crowds began following the team. In order to accomodate the new fans, Barca had a “Cathedral of Football” constructed in May of 1922. The new Les Corts Stadium opened May 20th, 1922, with a capacity to hold 30,000 specators. The club had an amazing beginning but the 1930’s had left some scars on the Football Club Barcelona. Founder Joan Gamper died July 30 1930.  After this several club owners left, the team created a losing streak and the Civil War of 1936 pushed heavily on Catalan identity. In March of 1938, the Franco Regime bombed the Les Corts Stadium in an effort to destroy the symbolism that the Football Club Barcelona held for Catalonia. The team saw a gradual recovery in the 1940’s as they began to once again win their battles. The Football Club Barcelona won the National League Titles in 1945, 1948, and 1949. In June of 1950, Ladislao Kubala arrived in Barcelona dramatically shifting the power and magic that the team already had. The Messi of the 1950’s, Kubala helped Barcelona win the Spanish League in 1951, 1952, and 1953. In 1952, Barca won the Five Cups: Spanish League, Spanish Cup, Latin Cup Eva Duarte and Martini Rossi trophies.

The Camp Nou Era Begins

With Kubala leading the dream team of Barcelona, the “Cathedral of Football” was no longer large enough to sustain the number of fans attending the games. in 1957 the new stadium, Camp Nou was erected. The new stadium had a capacity of 90,000 fans. It was during this time that Barca continued to win cups including the Spanish Leagues 1958-59 and 1959-60, and the Fairs' Cups 1957-1958 and 1959-60, coached by Helenio Herrera, with such excellent players as Kocsis, Czibor, Evaristo, Kubala, Eulogio Martínez, Suárez, Villaverde, Olivella, Gensana, Segarra, Gràcia, Vergés and Tejada. During this time, the popular Football Club Barcelona phrase “more than a club” was born. FCB had been stamped as a part of Catalan identity. In 1978, Josep Lluís Núñez became President of the Football Club Barcelona. The Club then began a considerable period of social and financial expansion. The increase in member numbers reached the 100,000 and many supporter's clubs were founded. The Football Club Barcelona was becoming the sports most important entity in the world. Barça were also provided with emblematic sports facilities: the Camp Nou expansion, the building of the Miniestadi, the Palau Blaugrana, and so on. The FC Barcelona is currently a sports entity which includes basketball, handball, hockey, ice-hockey, figure skating, indoor football, rugby, baseball, volleyball and women's football sections.

World Renowned Team

The Football Club Barcelona colors and symbol are recognized around the world as a leader in sports and as a successful club. People travel the globe to attend Barcelona football games. Barcelona has become a mecca to the football world and the jersey’s of Messi, Puyol, Alves, Valdes, Sanchez, Villa, Adriano, Keita, and Pinto. FCB helps give pride and definition to Barcelona as a city among cities. Is Barca your favorite football team too? Let us know who your favorite players are and what you think the club does for Barcelona. Thanks for reading. Cheers, Brett
Want more about sports? Take it! :) Sports shops in Barcelona FCB and Camp Nou